Daily News Columnist Jill PorterJoins Opening Bench-Bar Panel

Philadelphia Daily News columnist Jill Porter will be among the panelists discussing the film "Soul of Justice - Thelton Henderson's American Journey" at the opening program of the Association's 2007 Bench-Bar Conference at Bally's Atlantic City on Sept. 28...READ MORE

O'Connor Award to Marks;Hart to Address Members

Lynn A. Marks (right), executive director of Pennsylvan-ians for Modern Courts, has been named recipient of the Philadelphia Bar Association's 2007 Sandra Day O'Connor Award. The award presentation will be made during the Association's Quarterly Meeting and Luncheon on Tuesday, Oct. 16 at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown. Ann Weaver Hart, the first woman president of Temple University, will be the keynote speaker at the event...READ MORE

YLD A-Scare-Ium Oct. 20

The Young Lawyers Division will host A-Scare-Ium at the Aquarium on Saturday, Oct. 20 at the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, N.J. from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m...READ MORE

Daily News' Porter Joins Opening Bench-Bar Panel

Philadelphia Daily News columnist Jill Porter will be among the panelists discussing the film "Soul of Justice - Thelton Henderson's American Journey" at the opening program of the Association's 2007 Bench-Bar Conference at Bally's Atlantic City on Sept. 28.

"Soul of Justice" presents the life and work of one of the first African-American federal judges in the United States and chronicles the impact of his decisions on the lives of millions. The film follows Judge Henderson from his time in the U.S. Department of Justice during the civil rights movement through his current position on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

Panelists for this 3 CLE credit program (1 substantive, 2 ethics) include U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Theodore McKee; Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judges Nitza Quinones I. Alejandro, Frederica Massiah-Jackson and M. Teresa Sarmina. U.S. District Court Judge Louis H. Pollak will offer remarks before the screening of the film.

The opening luncheon program is sponsored by the Public Interest Section, the Asian American Bar Association of the Delaware Valley, the Barristers Association of Philadelphia, the Hispanic Bar Association, the South Asian Bar Association and the National Bar Association Women Lawyers Division.

A total of 7 CLE credits and 14 different courses are available at the Bench-Bar Conference, which runs through Sept. 29. This year's conference, "Saddle Up to a Bench-Bar Bonanza," has a Wild West theme and includes a black tie and blue jeans reception on Friday evening, Sept. 28. Sponsors for the 2007 Bench-Bar Conference include USI Colburn Insurance Service, LexisNexis, PNC Wealth Management, Trial Technologies, JAMS, Veritext and Kroll. Click here to register for the Bench-Bar Conference.

Employability Through Assessment Sept. 10

Rosalyn Pierce will discuss evaluating employability through vocational assessment at the Monday, Sept. 10 meeting of the Family Law Section.

Pierce will discuss how to assess earning capacity and the sources of information useful for family law practitioners. The meeting begins at 12 p.m. in the 11th floor Conference Center of Bar Association headquarters, 1101 Market St. Lunch is available for $7.50 for those members who register in advance. Click here to RSVP for this program.

Mediation in Appellate Courts Sept. 12

Douglas Sisk, mediator for the Pennsylvania Superior Court, and Penny Conly Ellison, mediator for the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, will present Mediation in the Appellate Courts at the Wednesday, Sept. 12 meeting of the Appellate Courts Committee.

The meeting begins at 12 p.m. in the 10th Floor Board Room of Bar Association headquarters, 1101 Market St. Lunch is available for $7.50 for those members who register in advance. Click here to RSVP for this program.

This program will offer in-depth discussions of how women law students and practitioners can develop the necessary skills to succeed and how employers can achieve more diversity in the legal profession. The first panel will discuss how women law students can select a woman-friendly employer and how practitioners and employers can create and ensure more gender diversity. The second panel will share interview tips and information about what employers want. It will also uncover how women practitioners successfully conduct themselves professionally and navigate their way in the profession. A cocktail reception will follow.

The first panel, "The Cheat Sheet: Strategies to Select, Create & Ensure a Woman-Friendly Employer," which is available for one ethics credit of CLE, includes panelists Deborah Epstein Henry (moderator), founder and president, of Flex-Time Lawyers LLC, and of counsel, Schnader, Harrison, Segal & Lewis; Heather Harrington, an associate with Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman & Dicker, LLP; Linda Dale Hoffa, assistant U.S. attorney, assistant chief, Criminal Division, Eastern District of Pennsylvania; Roberta D. Liebenberg, co-chair of the Women in the Profession Committee and a partner with Fine, Kaplan and Black, R.P.C.; and Elaine Petrossian, assistant dean for career strategy and advancement, Villanova University School of Law.

Participants wishing to receive the CLE credit will be required to pay a fee of $25 for members of the Philadelphia Bar Association admitted for more than five years, and $20 for members of the Philadelphia Bar Association admitted for less than five years. If you wish to register in advance please visit pbi.org or call PBI Customer Service at 1-800-932-4637.

If you would like to attend the program and cocktail reception, but are not interested in receiving CLE credit, please contact Dawn Burger at 215-238-6367 or dburger@philabar.org to register.

Sponsors of the cocktail reception include Pennsylvania Bar Association, Abelson Legal Search, Coleman/Nourian, Oxford Legal Associates, Sacks Legal Search, Temple University School Of Law, Villanova University School Of Law and Right Management.

Program on Employee Wellness Legal Issues Sept. 18

The meeting begins at 12 p.m. in the 11th Floor Committee Room South of Bar Association headquarters, 1101 Market St. Lunch is available for $8.50 for those members who register in advance. Click here to RSVP for this program.

Antitrust Law Committee CLE on Twombly Sept. 19

The Business Law Section's Antitrust Law Committee will present the CLE program "The Bell Tolls for Conley v. Gibson: The Supreme Court's Twombly Decision" on Wednesday, Sept. 19.

The program begins at 12 p.m. at The CLE Conference Center on the 10th floor of the Wanamaker Building and has been approved for 1 substantive CLE credit. Participants wishing to receive the CLE credit will be required to pay a fee of $25 for members of the Philadelphia Bar Association admitted for more than five years, and $20 for members of the Philadelphia Bar Association admitted for less than five years. Click here to register in advance or call PBI Customer Service at 1-800-932-4637. Lunch is sponsored by the Business Law Section.

Doing 90 Minutes of Work in 60 Minutes

The Law Practice Management Division's Technology Committee will present the program "The Less-Paper Office: How to Do 90 Minutes of Work in 60 Minutes" on Thursday, Sept. 20.

Committee Co-Chair Daniel J. Siegel will offer his tips on reducing or eliminating attorneys' reliance on paper. The meeting begins at 12 p.m. in the 11th floor Conference Center of Bar Association headquarters, 1101 Market St. Lunch is available for $7.50 for those members who register in advance. Click here to RSVP for this program.

Nutter to Address Section Sept. 25

The meeting begins at 12 p.m. in the 11th floor Conference Center of Bar Association headquarters, 1101 Market St. Lunch is available for $7.50 for those members who register in advance. Click here to RSVP for this program.

Republican mayoral candidate Al Taubenberger will meet with the Section on Tuesday, Oct. 30 at a similar program.

Plaintiffs' Firms to Speak on Hiring Sept. 27

Representatives from plaintiffs' firms will discuss hiring practices and the promotion of diversity at the Thursday, Sept. 27 meeting of the Minorities of the Profession Committee.

The meeting begins at 12 p.m. in the 11th floor Conference Center of Bar Association headquarters, 1101 Market St. Lunch is available for $7.50 for those members who register in advance. Click here to RSVP for this program.

Legal Clinic for Disabled Stroll & Roll Sept. 23

The Legal Clinic for the Disabled will hold its 16th Annual Stroll & Roll on Sunday, Sept. 23 beginning at Lloyd Hall, the first boathouse along Kelly Drive. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the event starts at 10 a.m.

There is a $30 entry fee for this event, payable to the Legal Clinic for the Disabled. Specials guests will include the Phillie Phanatic. For more information, visit legalclinicforthedisabled.org, call (215) 587-3350 or e-mail Tom Prettyman at tprettyman@mageerehab.org.

Marks to Receive O'Connor Award at Oct. Quarterly

Lynn A. Marks (right), a champion for court reform in Pennsylvania, has been named recipient of the Philadelphia Bar Association's 2007 Sandra Day O'Connor Award.

Marks is the executive director of Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts. The award presentation will be made during the Association's Quarterly Meeting and Luncheon on Tuesday, Oct. 16 at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown. Ann Weaver Hart, the first woman president of Temple University, will be the keynote speaker at the event.

The O'Connor Award is conferred annually on a woman attorney who has demonstrated superior legal talent, achieved significant legal accomplishments and has furthered the advancement of women in both the profession and the community.

Tickets for the October Quarterly Meeting and Luncheon are $50 and can be purchased online by clicking here.

YLD A-Scare-Ium at the Aquarium Oct. 20

The Young Lawyers Division will host A-Scare-Ium at the Aquarium on Saturday, Oct. 20 at the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, N.J. from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Children are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes to the event. Admission is $25 for adults and $15 for children and includes lunch, an animal encounter, a pick-your-own pumpkin and painting activity and a special showing of SpongeBob SquarePants 4D ride. Click here to purchase tickets.

Cure Autism Now Walk Sept. 15 at Citizens Bank Park

Join the Autism Speaks and Cure Autism Now communities and local honorary committee members to tackle autism. Experience the power of thousands united by a single cause by joining Walk Now for Autism Saturday, Sept. 15 at Citizens Bank Park. The Walk begins at 10 a.m. Register in advance at walknow.org.

Walk Now for Autism offers families a fun-filled experience with live music, bounce houses, food, an autism community resource fair, and much, much more. Be sure to raise $100 to earn your commemorative Walk Now for Autism t-shirt.

Law Firm Marketing Luncheon Sept. 25

The Delaware Valley Law Firm Marketing Group is hosting a September 25 luncheon at Dechert LLP on the "The State of Law Firm Marketing."

Micah Buchdahl, Vice Chair of the American Bar Association's Law Practice Management Section and Chair of the ABA's first-ever stand-alone law marketing conference, is the guest speaker.

Buchdahl will provide DVLFMG members with a sneak-peak at the marketing trends and issues that are affecting, and will affect, law firm marketers entering the industry's fourth decade. Hot topics to be covered include:

A team of lawyers, lead by Grogan and Diver, represented a HIAS and Council client denied a marriage license due to his immigration status. Thanks to the well-prepared legal challenge, Judge A. Richard Caputo of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania ordered the Register of Wills for Luzerne County to reverse her decision and grant the couple their marriage license. Grogan and Diver have continued to take on pro-bono cases for HIAS and Council.

HIAS and Council will also be presenting the Judge Harold and Renée Berger Book Scholarship to three immigrant students: Viktoriya Genzel, Peter Ginzburg, and Tikva Giterman. The keynote address for the Annual Luncheon will be given by Dr. Jerry Ehrlich, a long-time volunteer for Doctors Without Borders and a pediatrician from Cherry Hill, N.J. He will share his first-hand observations of the horrific impact of genocide on the children of Darfur.

The program begins at 12 p.m. at the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, 2100 Arch St. Tickets are $40 for the general public and $15 for nonprofit direct service personnel. RSVP to Sarah Peterson at (215) 832-0920 or via e-mail at speterson@hiaspa.org by Sept. 12.

Brennan Award Nominations Being Accepted

Nominations are being accepted for the Philadelphia Bar Association's prestigious Justice William J. Brennan Jr. Distinguished Jurist Award. The award will be presented at the Association's Annual Meeting and Luncheon on Dec. 4, 2007 at 12 p.m. at the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue.

The award recognizes a jurist who adheres to the highest ideals of judicial service. Any member of the state or federal bench, whether active or retired, who has made a significant, positive impact on the quality or administration of justice in Philadelphia is eligible for consideration. Examples of accomplishments worthy of nomination include innovations in court administration, implementation of pioneering case management techniques, assumption of a leadership role in areas affecting the administration of justice, publication of a significant opinion, article, or other scholarly work, or the like.

This year's Brennan Award Committee is chaired by John Soroko. Nominations for the Justice Brennan Distinguished Jurist Award should be forwarded to: Brennan Award, Attn: Areetha Carter, Esq., Staff Counsel, Philadelphia Bar Association, 1101 Market St., 11th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107. All nominations should include the full name, address and telephone number of both the nominee and the person submitting the nomination, a summary of the nominee's accomplishments, and any pertinent supporting material the committee should consider. All nominations must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 19, 2007.

Shuster Fellowship Applications Being Accepted

The Philadelphia Bar Foundation is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the Morris M. Shuster Public Interest Fellowship Program, established in 2003 as a result of a generous donation by Morris M. Shuster to the Bar Foundation. This program is intended to assist public interest lawyers who face large student loan obligations that threaten their ongoing service as public interest attorneys.

To be eligible for the Shuster Fellowships, an applicant must be a full-time lawyer employed at a qualifying organization, who is financially eligible and has completed the requisite number of years of work experience at one or more nonprofit organizations principally involved in the delivery of legal services to clients (regardless of geography).

Visit philadelphiabar.org for copies of the 2007 Shuster Fellowship application and guidelines. Please note that the deadline for submitting an application for a Shuster Fellowship to the Philadelphia Bar Foundation is Friday, Sept. 14. The winners will be announced at the Andrew Hamilton Gala on Saturday, Nov. 17. For more information, contact Maureen Mingey at the Philadelphia Bar Foundation at mmingey@philabar.org or call (215) 238-6334.

These awards will be presented at the Bar Foundation's Andrew Hamilton Gala on Saturday, Nov. 17. Please submit nominations in writing, either by e-mail to mmingey@philabar.org or by hard copy to Maureen Mingey, Philadelphia Bar Foundation, 1101 Market St., 11th floor, Philadelphia PA 19107. Nominations are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 14.

Tickets Available for Lawyerpalooza October 25

The Young Lawyers Division will host Lawyerpalooza at Kildare's Headhouse Square (2nd & South streets) on Thursday, Oct. 25.

Beginning at 6:30 p.m., lawyers who moonlight in bands, such as A Band Called M, Class Action, Brand New Gods and Pray for Mojo, will be featured. There will also be other performances by Brad Shuttleworth and Jim Wells. You've seen them in court, now see them on stage! The cost of $10 includes drink tickets, heavy hors d'oeuvres and drink specials.

Public Interest Events Scheduled

Philadelphia LawWorks, a project of Philadelphia VIP, will sponsor the 4th Annual Corporate Pro Bono Day, on Tuesday, Sept. 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Enterprise Center, 4548 Market St., Philadelphia. This free event provides microentrepreneurs the opportunity to discuss immediate and ongoing legal matters with corporate counsel from various Philadelphia-area businesses. LawWorks is seeking corporate counsel volunteers to participate in this program. Please contact Martin Costello at 215-523-9562, or mcostello@phillyvip.org by Sept. 14 to volunteer for this program. Two substantive CLE credits will be offered to volunteer attorneys who participate in this program.

HIAS and Council Migration Service of Philadelphia will train attorneys and paralegals to complete USCIS naturalization applications for legal immigrants on Wednesday, Sept. 19 from 12 to 3 p.m. at the offices of Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP, 1735 Market St.

Once trained, attorneys will be asked to participate in at least one naturalization clinic this fall or winter. The clinics will be hosted by partner organizations serving diverse immigrant communities with the goal of quickly and efficiently helping those eligible for citizenship. There are currently 8 million legal permanent residents in our nation who, according to the U.S. Office on Immigration Statistics, are eligible to apply for naturalization. A light lunch will be offered. To register, contact Leah Pillsbury, Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform at 215-531-2212 or e-mail immigrationreformnow@gmail.com.

A Pro Bono Open House Fair will be held Thursday, Oct. 4 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the offices of Wolf, Block, Schorr & Solis-Cohen, LLP, 1650 Arch St., 22nd floor. Representatives from Philadelphia public interest law centers, legal services programs and pro bono referral programs will be available to speak informally about volunteer opportunities at their organizations. This event is free and open to all members of the Philadelphia Bar. Light refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP by Sept. 27 to Colleen Coonelly at ccoonelly@wolfblock.com or call (215) 977-2377. This event is sponsored by the Law Firm Pro Bono Committee of the Public Interest Section.

Philadelphia VIP will hold an open house for all members of the legal community on Thursday, Oct. 11 at VIP's offices at 42 S. 15th St., 4th floor. Meet the staff and board of directors of VIP, enjoy refreshments and hear about all the exciting things happening at VIP.

Philadelphia VIP will present its annual training event "Pro Bono Opportunities Day," on Friday, Oct. 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Montgomery, Walker & Rhoads, LLP, 123 S. Broad St., 28th Floor, Philadelphia. All attorneys are invited to learn how to help Philadelphia's low-income population with their legal needs. Participants may attend one of the following substantive training sessions: Public Housing; Child Custody; Nonprofit Issues: From Incorporation to Operation; or Quiet Title/Fraudulent Conveyances. Following the training, VIP will offer each participant a pro bono case. Attorneys who attend a seminar and accept a case will earn two (2) substantive CLE credits. The cost of the program is $45 per attorney. Breakfast and training materials are included. The registration deadline is Monday, Oct. 15. To register, please contact Tanya Rambert at 215-523-9550, or trambert@phillyvip.org.

Nominations Sought for 2007 Wachovia Fidelity Award

Nominations are now being accepted for the Philadelphia Bar Association's 2007 Wachovia Fidelity Award. Nominations should be made in writing. Please include a detailed statement setting forth information and reasons why you are recommending the nominee for this award. The deadline for receipt of nominations is 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 12.

 Significant accomplishments in improving the administration of justice (preferably in Philadelphia);

 The absence of prior recognition for this work by the Philadelphia Bar Association;

 Distinguished service consistently rendered over a considerable period of time or a single outstanding achievement in a particular year. (The fact that this single achievement may have occurred some years ago is not material so long as it has not been recognized.);

 The accomplishment must arise from voluntary activities rather than for service rendered as a paid professional; and

 It is preferred that the recipient be a member of the Philadelphia Bar Association not now in public office or directly involved with the court operations or any other public service activity.

Workers' Comp Section Seeks Award Nominees

The Association's Workers' Compensation Section will present its 7th annual Martha Hampton Award later this year. This award was named in honor of an attorney who was committed to the practice of workers compensation law. Each year a committee reviews nominations as to the attorney or judge who best exemplifies Martha's unique compassion and dedication to her clients, her professionalism, scholarship and good will with her peers.

It should be noted all members of the bar and bench who practice workers' compensation law are eligible. This is not an award restricted to claimants' attorneys. Past winners have included counsel from both sides of the aisle as well as from the bench.

This year's Award Committee will be chaired by Marc S. Jacobs (a partner with Hampton at Galfand Berger) and the co-chairs of the section from last year, Judge Patricia M. Bachman, Valerie H. Lieberman and Eric L. Segal. In addition to the award, a charitable contribution is made each year to Kids Chance by Galfand Berger, on behalf of the Section. Kids Chance offers scholarships to children who have lost a parent due to a work-related injury.

Your nominations are important. We encourage your participation. Please include your thoughts for making any nomination. All nominations can be e-mailed to Marc S. Jacobs at mjacobs@galfandberger.com or mailed to Jacobs at 1818 Market St., 23rd Floor, Philadelphia, Pa. 19103.

Fundamentals of Estate and Trust Administration

PBI's Fundamentals of Estate and Trust Administration will guide the inexperienced practitioner through each stage of an estate administration. Learn the steps to take, the pitfalls to avoid and the tactical decisions to make which save your clients taxes, time and expense. This 6 CLE credit (5 substantive/1 ethics) hour program will be held in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Sept. 19, via satellite at The CLE Conference Center on the 10th floor of the Wanamaker Building, Juniper Street entrance (between 13th and Broad streets, opposite City Hall), from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Registration begins at 8 a.m. For additional information, or to register, click here.

Upcoming CLE

The following courses are cosponsored by the Philadelphia Bar Association and the Pennsylvania Bar Institute. All courses are at The CLE Conference Center in the Wanamaker Building, except as otherwise noted. Registration begins 30 minutes before course start time.

Earn as many as 4 credits on your computer, at your convenience at PBI's Online Campus, at www.onlinecle.pbi.org. More than 300 classes are available, including nearly 50 one-hour ethics programs. 24/7 CLE. You have received this message because you are listed with the Philadelphia Bar Association as a subscriber to the Bar Reporter Online. This message may contain commercial content. If you wish to add, modify or delete a Bar Reporter Online subscription, either send an e-mail to philadelphiabar@philabar.org, or go to listserve.philabar.org/mailman/listinfo/bro
Philadelphia Bar Association, 1101 Market St., 11th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107, 215-238-6300.